Spicy Tortilla Lasagna

Funny 1st grade story from this week ... One of our spelling words this past week was 'blog.' Kind of a strange spelling word for 1st graders if you ask me, ... but ... no one asked me! So, anyway, since none of my students had any idea what a blog is I decided to show them my blog as an example. (It just so happened that Neapolitan Cupcakes were showing on the front page, which totally amazed and enthralled my students! They want me to make some for them ... which I can't ... against school rules.)

Anyway, as I was scrolling down the front page ... showing them what a blog post is, and how people write to me and I write back in comments, and so forth ... one of my little students hollered out, "Hey, who's that?" ... referring to my childhood picture in the right sidebar. I said, "That's me when I was 4 years old." To which he promptly replied, rather exuberantly, "You look like a boy!"

Tact is not the forte of six year olds.

I don't think I look like a boy in that picture, do I? Oh, wait. On second thought, don't answer that. 'Cause if you do think I look like a boy, I don't think I really want to know. ﻿

Well, since school is still C.R.A.Z.Y. busy, I've been turning to some of my super-easy-stand-by recipes for our dinners. This Spicy Tortilla Lasagna is just one such recipe. And it's not exactly a recipe, it's more just something I threw together one night and have stuck with it ever since. I like that it comes together super quick, and it makes a big pan so there's always leftovers for another night. (No cooking the next night - yay!)

Start this dish by spreading a small amount of salsa (this lasagna's sauce) in the bottom of a baking dish. This keeps the bottom layer of tortillas from sticking to the bottom of the pan, and provides a tad of moisture for those tortillas to soak up.

Next, layer in two whole tortillas (I use whole wheat) and then tear small pieces from another tortilla to fill in the corners and any other big 'gaps.'

Then spoon in a layer of the lasagna filling ... a mixture of ground turkey (or beef), black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes ... and ...

... top with salsa and cheese. Layer on up two more times, and you'll have ...

... a tasty tortilla treat! It's a yummy alternative to traditional lasagna, especially if you're in the mood for a super easy spicy kick. And now I'm going to go try to get over being called a boy. Ha!

Spray a 9"x13" baking dish lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Spread a small amount of salsa in the bottom of the dish. Top with two whole tortillas; tear pieces from a portion of another tortilla to fill the corners and any other gaps around the sides of the pan. Top the tortillas with 1/3 of the meat/black bean mixture, 1/3 of the salsa, and 1/3 of the shredded cheese.

Repeat to make two more layers.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes, until heated through and bubbly. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

NOTE: This is a very flexible recipe. Adjust spices and other ingredients to fit your fancy!

This sounds delicious! And easy...I am all for easy these days with a little man! You DO NOT look like a boy! I can say this with confidence because I looked like a boy for quite a few years with the Dorthy Hamill haircut! You, on the other hand, are quite cute...and girlish! :)

I love your little kid stories from your day in the class room. I would really enjoy your Spicy Tortilla Lasagna this is our kind of dish. Enjoy your weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.Come Back Soon!Miz Helen

Do you think I would be able to use flour tortillas in this recipe? We have a very severe corn allergy and I could not find the wheat tortillas. I will omit the frozen corn, that shouldn't change the taste too much, I just wonder if the flour tortillas will turn to mush...

Yes, I absolutely think you can use flour tortillas in this. While the flour tortillas may not 'hold' as long for leftovers (may get soggy after a while), I don't think they'll be mushy on the day (or even the day after) you make it. Let me know how they work!Enjoy, Alicia!

I love your comments ~ I read and appreciate each and every one. When you choose to leave a comment, we collect and display your name, as provided by you. Clicking "publish" to submit your comment indicates your explicit consent for name collection. If you click the "notify me" checkbox {which is optional}, your e-mail is also collected. Clicking the "notify me" checkbox indicates your explicit consent for e-mail collection. Thank you so much for visiting The Kitchen is My Playground!

About Me

Hi! I'm Tracey, & I'm having fun with home cooking, one recipe at a time! A former businesswoman & teacher turned blogger & Mom, I love my latest career best. Join in the fun as I share tried-&-true recipes for the everyday home cook.